A century-and-a-half after the first wave of Chinese students came to the United States, the U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented boom in the number of Chinese students. But as relations between the two countries once again sour, these students are yet again left in a precarious, uncertain position. 

Professor Kumi Smith described her work at China’s National Center for AIDS, where she learned the highly politicized nature of HIV in China does not always translate into abundant resources for public health workers.

In a webinar on April 15, Ryan Hass, author of Stronger: Adapting America’s China Strategy in an Age of Competitive Interdependence, discussed the future of the U.S.-China relationship and the importance of the two powers finding a way forward.

Weiss discussed her new book project and explored how China’s governance and domestic politics shape its foreign policy. Weiss argues that the key themes of centrality and contestation shape China’s interests and investments domestically and internationally.

Dr. Liu Yang, head of the Chinese, South, and Southeast Asian art department and curator of Chinese art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia), presented on the fascinating array of bronzes in Alfred Pillsbury’s collection.

On Thursday, November 12, more than 120 attendees gathered over livestream for the webinar, “Getting China Right: Challenges for the Next Administration.” Robert Daly, director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Wilson Center, presented on the challenges and complexities of the U.S.-China relationship. 

On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, more than 35 attendees gathered over livestream to watch a panel discussion on the documentary film First Vote. The discussion highlighted the important role that Asian American voters play as the fastest-growing segment of eligible voters in the United States.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, more than 60 attendees gathered over livestream to hear Dr. Yingling Fan, a professor of urban and regional planning at the University of Minnesota, present on the topic, “Urbanization in the U.S. and China: What We Can Learn From Each Other.”

On Thursday, September 24, Marta Hanson, associate professor of the history of East Asian medicine at Johns Hopkins University, presented on the racist “sick man of Asia” trope and its recent reversal to the trope of “sick Uncle Sam.” In this timely and engaging discussion, Dr. Hanson explored the history behind the relative success of East Asian countries in addressing the COVID-19 virus compared to the United States.

On Wednesday, August 19, 2020, more than 75 attendees gathered over livestream to attend the webinar, “Blending Cultures Through Music: An Interview with World-Renowned Pipa Master Gao Hong.” In a lively discussion facilitated by Qiuxia Welch, training program specialist at the China Center, Professor Gao Hong guided the audience through an overview of the pipa instrument and its history, basics of pipa playing, and her own journey of building cultural bridges through music.

Conservationist Jim Harkness took the audience through 40 years of conservation efforts in China, while sharing stories from his own experience working with environmental organizations.

Chang Wang and Alexander Morawa, both experienced lawyers and senior partners
at Kingsfield Law Office, explored questions around possible liability or legal consequences
under public international law and U.S. law for the pandemic-related action or inaction of states.

On Thursday, May 28, 2020, more than 180 attendees gathered over livestream to join the webinar, “The U.S. and China: Five Realities Beneath the Sound and the Fury,” presented by Diplomat in Residence Thomas Hanson. In a period of greater economic and political estrangement between the two countries, Mr. Hanson’s timely presentation provided useful context for the current challenges in the U.S.-China relationship. 

In "How Xenophobia Spreads Like a Virus," Professor Erika Lee traced the history of anti-Chinese discrimination in the United States, including discriminatory attitudes and immigration policies. Professor Lee also outlined the role that disease and pandemics have played in xenophobia and xenophobic and racist policies.